THE TAKEAWAY:

Letting Go of the Past (pt. 1): Our forgiveness in Christ is assured by the power of his sacrifice

MESSAGE:

The problem with magical genies is that they can only grant three wishes, and then they are out of your life forever. Aladdin could be rich beyond his dreams, receive immesurable fame, or defeat Jafar, but after that, he would be on his own. Once the genie is free from the lamp, Aladdin is just a normal guy. The end of Disney’s Aladdin saw the Genie become free from his prison as the hero waved goodbye. But a free Genie does not make any money with the kids. Thank goodness for straight-to-video sequels that brought the genie back for more fun and wishes.

We don’t have a limited magical genie in our faith.

It’s not unusual for a believer to doubt whether they are saved and going to heaven. This eternal insecurity creeps into our minds and makes us wonder if God wants to revoke his free gift. Maybe we think we ran out of wishes with the Almighty. When we go through this trial, it’s important to let go of our past and remember what Jesus did in the past. There is a specific time in history when Jesus shed his blood on a cross to cleanse sinners. This work of salvation is a one-and-done situation, claimed by confessing our sins.

The service of forgiveness is not reliant on God’s mood or whether he can stomach your bad deeds. This is a solid process cemented in eternity. That means God will not refuse anyone who wants it. Our sins might be horrible, and our good qualities might be lacking, but that will never stop what Jesus did over 2000 years ago.

FIGURE IT OUT:

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie and don’t tell the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 John 1:6-10

  1. Circle some keywords or phrases that are significant to you. What makes them important?
  2. According to this passage, what reality do we need to accept to enter into a relationship with God?
  3. How does God’s faithfulness and righteousness help him to ALWAYS forgive sin?
  4. What can we tell our past sinful self about what Jesus did for us?

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